Drought support package
The Victorian Government is providing further practical support to farmers across Victoria impacted by drought and difficult seasonal conditions. This new $15.9 million package, announced on 15 May 2025, extends the $13.5 million drought support package announced on 30 September 2024.
The new funding will provide farm businesses with technical and decision-making support right across the state. These services will be delivered in partnership with a range of technical specialists, to support farmers to manage the impacts of increasingly difficult conditions.
A ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ mental health and wellbeing grant program will be available statewide to help communities come together and support farmers and farming families under stress.
The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant Program will continue in south west Victoria and be extended to 13 additional Local Government Areas (LGAs) and all postcodes in the West Wimmera LGA. The program supports on-farm upgrades that provide immediate support in managing drought and builds future resilience.
The new LGAs include Towong, Northern Grampians, Horsham, Hepburn, Moorabool, City of Ballarat, Cardinia, Casey, Baw Baw, Bass Coast, South Gippsland and Mornington Peninsula, plus the unincorporated area of French Island.
These escalated supports build on programs that are always available to Victorian farm businesses across the state, year-round. These include the Rural Financial Counselling Service, the Commonwealth Government’s Farm Household Allowance and low interest loans available through the Regional Investment Corporation
Ongoing support also includes workshops and field days being delivered each week, a comprehensive archive of practical information on the Agriculture Victoria website including technical resources and tools and calculators to assist with matters such as forward planning, feed budgeting and livestock management.
On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants Program
The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant Program, which has already supported more than 1,500 farmers in south west Victoria, has been extended.
Eligible farmers will receive up to $5,000 as a co-contribution grant that will support activities including water infrastructure upgrades (such as pipes, tanks, troughs and dams), stock containment areas, and grain and fodder storage.
Farmers in south west Victoria who were previously eligible can apply now.
Updated guidelines for the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program will be available soon. In the interim, farmers in the Ballarat, Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Cardinia, Casey, Hepburn, Horsham, Mornington Peninsula, Moorabool, Northern Grampians, South Gippsland, Towong Local Government Areas, the unincorporated area of French Island. can express their interest now via admin@ruralfinance.com.au
Statewide technical decision-making support
Agriculture Victoria’s farm business technical and decision-making support, incorporating a range of technical specialists, will be made available statewide to support farmers to manage the impacts of increasingly difficult seasonal conditions.
The program works with farmers to ensure farm businesses have access to tailored advice through one-on-one consultations, webinars, workshops, field days, and boosted online tools and information.
Updated guidelines for the technical decision-making support program will be available soon. In the interim, you can express your interest here.
Farmers in south west Victoria who are currently eligible can apply now.
Statewide mental health and wellbeing support
A ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ mental health and wellbeing grant program will be available statewide to help communities come together and support farmers and farming families under stress.
More information will be available soon.
South West Regional Drought Coordinator
The South West Regional Drought Coordinator role will also be extended until 31 October 2025 to enable collaboration across agencies and organisations, and to ensure that necessary support reaches those in need.
The South West Regional Drought Coordinator works with local councils, Victorian Government departments, local water corporations, catchment management authorities, local health services and industry service providers to make sure support is reaching the people that need it, when they need it.
Small Business Financial Counsellor
Additional funding will also support small businesses in south west Victoria through the appointment of a Small Business Financial Counsellor.